Toothbrush assemblies employing folded filament systems

ABSTRACT

A toothbrush assembly having a platen for attachment of at least one brush, preferably a group, in which the brush comprises the group of looped monofilament intrinsically having two terminal ends, and each monofilament is looped such that each of the terminal ends of the monofilament itself ends in virtually the same location on the platen. The multiplicity of looped monofilaments can be in a floral, vertical, horizontal, or any arrangement thereof, such that cleaning of the teeth is improved thereby. The toothbrush assembly further has tufts holding the looped monofilaments in position placed at, in or below the platen. In another embodiment, the toothbrush assembly has at least two tufts employed for each of said looped monofilament, such that one of said terminal ends terminates in one tuft, and the other in another tuft. In yet another embodiment, a ganged group of monofilaments is placed upon said platen proximate to the looped monofilament.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of toothbrush assemblies and designs, and more particularly to such designs that provide effective cleaning of the teeth, enamel, and gum line without causing injury to the person using the assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The world of toothbrushes appears quite full with various designs and appearances, from single to multiple heads, and from manual to electrical apparatus. While this world has focused upon the “design” of the handle and overall appearance, lit attention has been given to the actual brush itself.

Rather, heretofore, toothbrushes have used a monofilament. In other words, a single filament, comprised of a nylon or similar material is used because of strength and purity, moisture is not absorbed, the filament does not, by itself, provide a haven for bacterial growth, and softness to hardness can be controlled.

Softness is dependent upon thickness of the combined monofilaments as a bristle. Generally, the thicker the bristle, the greater the strength, the thinness of the bristle generally makes a softer head.

Likewise, the monofilaments that comprise the bristle range in size. The smaller the size (combined with the smaller the bristle), the softer the toothbrush head. Reciprocally, the larger the filament (combined with a larger bristle), the stronger the head. Thus, monofilaments generally range in thickness from about 0.012 inches in diameter to about 0.008 in thickness. Even lower monofilaments have been used. For example, Radius® claims a monofilament thickness of about 0.067 inches.

Thickness of the monofilament is not, itself, critical to this invention. Indeed, any thickness can be employed, dependent upon the number of filaments, size, and eventually strength of the head. Likewise, while Radius® claims a “hexagonal” profile, the subject invention is not limited to a particular cross-sectional configuration of the filament. In short, any filament can be used without deviating from the letter or spirit of the subject invention.

Lastly, monofilament bristles are in the range (in a typical adult brush) from about 5,500 to 6,500 filaments.

Along with the aforementioned art, U.S. Pat. No. 6,805,557 shows a toothbrush comprising monofilaments in a plurality of different designs aimed at increasing efficacy. U.S. Pat. No. 6,666,524 shows a method for “end-rounding” the monofilament, again to increase efficacy.

Yet, while every one of these toothbrushes, and those heretofore known and used in the art have focused upon the monofilament (its configuration, number, and the like) or handle configuration (whether manual or electrical), none have considered the filaments that are the subject of the instant invention.

It is thus an object of the instant invention to provide a simple solution that reduces costs and increases efficacy of a toothbrush head by changing the configuration of the filament from a monofilament to a looped filament.

It is a further object of the instant invention to provide various combinations of the looped filament structure to enable a plurality of uses.

It is a still further object of the instant invention to provide various arrangement of looped filaments that increase efficacy of the toothbrush.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of the disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages, and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention.

The foregoing objects and other objects of the invention are achieved through a toothbrush assembly having a platen for attachment of at least one brush, wherein the brush comprises at least one monofilament intrinsically having two terminal ends, and the monofilament is looped such that each of said terminal ends of the monofilament itself ends in virtually the same location on the platen. The looped monofilaments provide greater cleaning ability as explained hereinabove.

The toothbrush assembly also include a multiplicity of looped monofilaments employed ending in the same platen in an arrangement. The arrangement can be floral, and placed in a vertical, horizontal, or any combinations thereof, such that cleaning of the teeth is improved thereby.

In another embodiment, the toothbrush assembly further comprising at least one tuft for holding the looped monofilaments in position. The tuft holds the monofilaments and is placed at, in or below the platen.

In another embodiment, the toothbrush assembly has at least two tufts that are employed for each of said looped monofilaments, such that one of said terminal ends terminates in one tuft, and the other in another tuft.

In yet another embodiment, a ganged group of monofilaments is placed upon said platen proximate to the looped monofilament. This provides access to rear teeth and other locations in the mouth.

Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed solely for purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention, for which reference should be made to the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements through the several views:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the instant invention showing the inventive looped configuration in a toothbrush assembly;

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional and perspective view of the looped filament assemblies, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the instant invention;

FIG. 3 shows two versions of the looped filament attached to a tuft in the head of a toothbrush (not shown but understood by one of ordinary skill in the art), in accordance with an embodiment of the subject invention;

FIG. 4 shows a plurality of looped filaments in a toothbrush assembly, together with a monofilament frontal portion for reaching, e.g., rear teeth, in accordance with another embodiment of the subject invention;

FIG. 5 shows a plurality of looped filaments in a single tuft, resembling a floral arrangement, with a number of single monofilaments protruding therefrom, in accordance with another embodiment of the subject invention;

FIG. 6 shows a toothbrush assembly comprising the floral arrangement and monofilaments, as shown in FIG. 5, in accordance with that embodiment of the subject invention;

FIG. 7 shows a top-down flat view of a plurality of looped filaments in an array arrangement, wherein vertical and horizontal portions are shown on a toothbrush head, in accordance with another aspect of the subject invention;

FIG. 8 shows a top-down flat view of a plurality of looped filaments in an array arrangement, wherein only vertical portions are shown on a toothbrush, in accordance with another aspect of the subject invention; and

FIG. 9 shows a top-down flat view of a plurality of looped filaments in an array arrangement, wherein only horizontal portions are shown on a toothbrush, in accordance with another aspect of the subject invention.

Other aspects of the invention will be clear when the FIGURES are viewed in connection with the specification and other portions set forth herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In accordance with the subject invention, FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of toothbrush assembly 2, having handle 4, and a platen 11, upon which are placed a plurality of looped monofilament brushes 6, such that the loop, as shown traverses about the top of the brushes 6, and reattach at the platen 11. As shown, the area that then is applied against the teeth is the looped portion of the looped monofilament brushes 6. In this manner, the looped brushes can clean the teeth in a manner more effective than that heretofore known in the art, while reaching the teeth, enamel, gums, and rear teeth, and, simultaneously, acting much like floss, thereby cleaning the interstitial spaces between the teeth, especially where such spaces are larger than usual, as the looped monofilament brushes 6 apply in such interstitial spaces in a manner better than monofilament brushes. (It should be appreciated that the subject invention does not seek to eliminate dentist's recommendation to floss repeatedly, only that the brush assembly 2 acts in similar fashion.)

In FIG. 2, platen 11 is shown in virtual cross section of handle 4, showing looped portions 6 attached to platen 22 by passing through tufts 10 that enable the looped filaments 6 to remain looped. Each loop 8 passes through tuft 10, as shown.

FIG. 3 shows two variations of the central theme of the subject invention, wherein the preferred embodiment has dual filaments 8 passing though either one platen 10, or, where a monofilament 8 passes through two platens, 10A and 10B, an alternative embodiment is shown. While alternative, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily see that this modification does not deviate from the letter or spirit of the subject invention.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the subject invention, wherein toothbrush assembly 2, having handle 4 and platen 11, has a multiplicity of looped filaments 6 (as in the prior FIGURES) but also has, in addition, monofilament cylindrical structure 12 that, while extended in this embodiment, can be of various lengths, without deviating from the spirit of the invention. By adding monofilament structure 12, the brush assembly 2 can also be utilized to reach rear teeth and the spaces behind them.

FIG. 5 shows a plurality of looped filaments 8 in single tuft 10, appearing as a floral-type arrangement 14. It should be appreciated that the looped filaments shown in prior FIGURES can also have this arrangement 14, without deviating from the spirit of the invention. Also shown in FIG. 5 are a plurality of monofilaments 16 which protrude from arrangement 14, although such protrusion is not of necessity, but provides additional cleaning of teeth when employed. It should also be understood that by adding this arrangement, the inventor has not deviated from the letter or spirit of the subject invention, but rather shown other variations thereof.

FIG. 6 shows a plurality of arrangements 14, having monofilaments 16 protruding therefrom, in toothbrush assembly 2, with handle 4, all passing through platen 11. In combination, as explained in connection with FIG. 5, this arrangement provides even greater cleaning ability, without deviating from the letter or spirit of the instant invention, but rather showing another variation thereupon.

FIG. 7 shows a top-down flat view of an arrangement of looped filaments 6 (which can also be floral arrangements 14) on platen 11, wherein vertical arrangements 16 and horizontal arrangements 18 are provided to provide cleaning-ability of teeth in formation. Likewise, FIG. 8 shows an arrangement on platen 11 of vertical arrangements 18, and FIG. 9 shows an arrangement on platen 11 of horizontal arrangements 16. It should be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, that while such arrangements are shown, these arrangements do not limit the subject invention and, instead, are shown for demonstrative purposes, it being understood that any arrangement that utilizes a looped filament arrangement employs the essential elements of the invention, and the specific configurations are shown as alternative embodiments in a toothbrush assembly.

While there have been shown, described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto. 

1. A toothbrush assembly having a platen for attachment of at least one brush, wherein said brush comprises: (a) at least one monofilament intrinsically having two terminal ends; and (b) said monofilament is looped such that each of said terminal ends of said monofilament itself ends in virtually the same location on the platen.
 2. The toothbrush assembly of claim 1, wherein a multiplicity of said looped monofilaments are employed ending in the same platen in an arrangement.
 3. The toothbrush assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one tuft for holding said looped monofilaments in position.
 4. The toothbrush assembly of claim 1, wherein a multiplicity of said looped monofilaments are employed in a grouped manner, such that each of said group(s) passes through a different location on the platen.
 5. The toothbrush assembly of claim 3, wherein at least two tufts are employed for each of said looped monofilament, such that one of said terminal ends terminates in one tuft, and the other in another tuft.
 6. A toothbrush assembly having a platen for attachment of at least one brush, wherein said brush comprises: (a) at least one monofilament intrinsically having two terminal ends; (b) said monofilament is looped such that each of said terminal ends of said monofilament itself ends in virtually the same location on the platen; and (c) a ganged group of monofilaments is placed upon said platen proximate to said at least one looped monofilament.
 7. A toothbrush assembly having a platen for attachment of at least one brush, wherein said brush comprises: (a) a multiplicity of monofilament intrinsically having two terminal ends; (b) said multiplicity of monofilaments are each looped such that each of said terminal ends of each of said monofilament itself ends in virtually the same location on the platen resembling a floral pattern.
 8. The toothbrush assembly of claim 7, further comprising at least one monofilament in association with said multiplicity of looped monofilaments.
 9. The toothbrush assembly of claim 8, wherein a multiplicity of said looped monofilaments are employed in a grouped manner resembling a floral pattern, with said monofilaments protruding from each of said floral-patterned grouped, looped monofilament, such that each of said group(s) and monofilaments associated therewith passes through a different location on the platen.
 10. The toothbrush assembly of claim 1, The arrangement of looped monofilaments on the platen, wherein said arrangement is horizontal.
 11. The toothbrush assembly of claim 2, wherein said arrangement is a multiplicity of vertical locations.
 12. The toothbrush assembly of claim 2, wherein said arrangement is a multiplicity of horizontal locations.
 13. The toothbrush assembly of claim 2, wherein said arrangement is a multiplicity of both vertical and horizontal locations. 